Have you ever wondered whether your thermostat should be on the “AUTO” or “ON” setting? You’re not alone. Most people aren’t clear on the difference between these two settings or which one is better than the other. While both options control your HVAC fan, they affect your home comfort, efficiency, and air quality differently. Understanding how to use the “ON” vs “AUTO” settings to your advantage helps you set your thermostat to maximize comfort and get the most out of your HVAC system.
What Do ON and AUTO Mean on a Thermostat?
Your central heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system has a fan that circulates air throughout your home. Your thermostat’s “auto” and “on” settings tell this fan what to do. Knowing how to use these thermostat settings correctly helps improve your home comfort while keeping energy bills to a minimum.
When you turn your thermostat to the “auto” setting, the fan circulates air only while your HVAC system is actively working. When your home reaches the set temperature, the fan and heating or cooling system turn off.
When you turn your thermostat to the “on” setting, the fan continuously circulates air through your home. Even when your system is not heating or cooling, it keeps moving air through the ducts and into your space.
Pros and Cons of the ON Setting
When you switch your thermostat to “ON,” the fan runs continuously, keeping air moving throughout your home. While this can lead to more consistent temperatures and better air quality, it also comes with drawbacks like increased energy usage and wear.
Continuous Airflow
With the thermostat set to “ON,” your HVAC fan delivers constant airflow throughout your home. This regular circulation helps enhance ventilation, reduce odors, and improve indoor air quality. Because air constantly passes through the system’s filter, it eliminates more dust, dirt, and allergens over time.
More Even Temperatures
With air constantly circulating throughout your home, you’ll notice a more consistent temperature throughout your space. Even when the HVAC system isn’t running, the fan distributes air from room to room, eliminating hot and cold spots.
Higher Energy Use
One of the main disadvantages of the “on” mode is that it’s a less energy-efficient thermostat setting. Your HVAC fan needs energy to operate, meaning you’ll see higher utility bills when it’s running nonstop.
Faster Filter Wear
Before air enters your home, it’s circulated through a filter that traps dust, dirt, and other debris. While continuous circulation means fewer contaminants in the air you breathe, it also means your filter will wear out faster. Homeowners who leave their thermostat “on” may have to change their filters as often as once a week.
Pros and Cons of the AUTO Setting
Many homeowners opt for the “AUTO” setting when setting their thermostat to save energy and only keep their fan running when necessary. While the thermostat “AUTO” setting has advantages like lower utility costs, it also comes with trade-offs like less consistent airflow and uneven temperatures.
Runs Fan Only When Heating or Cooling is Active
In “AUTO” mode, your fan turns on only when your HVAC is heating or cooling. With your fan only working when necessary, you’ll see a longer lifespan, reduced wear and tear, and better dehumidification as moisture from the HVAC coils has the chance to drain outside.
More Energy-efficient
Your fan doesn’t use any energy when it’s not in use. With the auto setting turning your fan off whenever it’s not necessary, you’ll reduce energy waste and lower your monthly utility bills.
May Cause Uneven Temperatures
Since your fan only runs at certain times, air doesn’t circulate as consistently. You’ll notice less distribution of hot or cool air and potentially uneven temperatures throughout some areas of your house.
Which Thermostat Setting Saves More Energy?
While both settings offer unique benefits, “AUTO” is the clear choice for homeowners looking to improve energy efficiency. This mode keeps your fan running only when necessary, reducing energy consumption and lowering your monthly utility bills.
Because the fan isn’t running around the clock, it uses less electricity throughout the day, reducing strain on other HVAC components. With less wear and tear, the other parts of your system continue to operate efficiently and are less likely to require costly repairs or frequent maintenance.
When Should You Use the ON Setting?
If you want to give your home a chance to cool down or heat up evenly, consider switching your thermostat to the “ON” setting. Allowing the fan to run longer allows comfortable temperatures to disperse more evenly throughout your home.
The “ON” mode is also beneficial when you want to improve your home’s indoor air quality. This can come in handy, especially in California, where smoke from nearby wildfires often impacts indoor air quality. By allowing your home’s air to circulate through your HVAC system for longer periods, you can trap more pollutants in the air filter.
The biggest downside to the “ON” setting is that it will run up your electric bill if you’re not careful. So, avoid using it when energy usage or utility costs are a concern. To keep it from running longer than necessary, you may want to set a timer on your phone to remind you to switch the setting when your home reaches a comfortable temperature.
When is the AUTO Setting a Better Choice?
You should use your thermostat’s “AUTO” setting when you want to spend the least amount of money running your heater or air conditioner. The fan only runs when the rest of the system is on.
“AUTO” is the best setting for winter, as it keeps warm air blowing throughout your house when the heater is activated, without distributing chilly air between cycles.
Another key benefit of the “AUTO” setting is that your air filter won’t get dirty as quickly. So if you’re tired of dealing with constant replacements, switching to this mode can help extend the timeline between changes.
Common Thermostat Setting Mistakes to Avoid
Your thermostat is the master controller of your HVAC system, so it’s important to know how to use the settings to your advantage. Some common mistakes to avoid include:
- Frequent adjustments
- Never turning off the heat or AC
- Not using a smart thermostat
- Ignoring maintenance
Still Not Sure? Let Monarch Help!
If you’re still unsure whether it’s best to leave your thermostat on “ON” or “AUTO,” don’t hesitate to contact the team at Monarch Home Services. We take pride in providing top-quality HVAC services throughout Bakersfield, Fresno, and the surrounding areas. Our experts can help guide you through the best thermostat settings, repair any malfunctions, and even replace your thermostat with a new, smart model. Call us or book online to schedule your service today!